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West Nile detected in area

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The West Nile virus has been detected in the local area, the tri-county health unit warned on Monday.

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit said Monday recent sampling has identified positive results in mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus.

The discovery follows similar ones in neighbouring health units including Ottawa, Eastern Ontario (Cornwall) and KFLA (Kingston) Public Health, which have all identified positive mosquitoes.

A local health unit spokeswoman reached at press time had no further details, including the number of mosquitoes that tested positive locally.

There have been no human cases of West Nile virus here so far.

This virus is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito, which in turn has become infected by biting a bird that carried the virus.

People cannot contract the virus from contact with an infected person.

West Nile symptoms usually include mild ones such as fever, headache, body aches and in some cases a mild rash or swollen lymph glands.

For most people, the risk of illness from West Nile virus is low. However, it can cause serious illness in others, the health unit warns.

In some individuals, particularly the elderly, West Nile virus can cause disease that affects the brain tissue, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). At its most serious, it can cause permanent neurological damage and can even be fatal.

In those cases, symptoms include the rapid onset of severe headache; high fever; a stiff neck; confusion; loss of consciousness (coma); and muscle weakness.

“With the recent warm temperatures mosquitoes have remained active late in the season,” health unit officials said.

“The health unit recommends that you take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.”

Recommended measures include applying insect repellents sparingly to exposed skin. Effective repellents contain Deet or Icaridin. People are advised to to follow directions, use age-appropriate concentrations and not use personal insect repellents on children under two years of age.

People should also wear light coloured clothing, long pants and long sleeves, as well as shoes and socks during peak mosquito times to prevent mosquito bites, and avoid being outside at dusk and dawn, as mosquitoes are most active at that time.

When sleeping outdoors, people should use netting or sleep in an unscreened structure and protect small babies from insect bites.

Area residents are advised to repair or replace old and torn screens in doors, windows, and vents that no longer prevent mosquitoes from entering homes.

Anyone who suspects having an insect transmittable disease such as West Nile is urged to contact a health professional.

More information regarding this disease can be found on the health unit website, at www.healthunit.org/westnile, or by calling 1-800-660-5853.